Santosh Trophy 2025-26 in Assam | 11 Feb 2026

Why in News? 

Services football team lifted the 79th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025–26 in Assam. 

Key Points: 

• Event: The 79th Santosh Trophy National Football Championship final was contested between Services and Kerala at Dhakuakhana, Assam. 
  • Services beat Kerala 1-0 to lift the Santosh Trophy title for the eighth time in their history. 
  • Runner-up: Kerala, a seven-time champion. 
• Organised by: All India Football Federation (AIFF) 
• Nature of Tournament: Senior men’s inter-state / institutional football championship. 
  • First Held: 1941 
• Named After: Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhary of Santosh (then Maharaja of Santosh) 
• Winning Goal: Abhishek Pawar scored the decisive goal in the 109th minute of extra time to secure the victory. 
• Significance: The Santosh Trophy is one of India’s premier senior men’s inter-state football championships with a rich legacy.